A well-established bowling club with some 80 regular members, Whitley and Monkseaton Bowling Club were concerned that their men’s pavilion had become run down. Committee members contacted VODA for advice around funding the refurbishment of the interior of the building early in 2017 and have recently been successful in an award for £4909 from the Big Lottery’s Awards for All programme. Secretary Linda Hudson said in an email to VODA: “We finished the project mid season and we are all delighted with the result. I must thank you and your team for all the help received in securing the grant.”

North Tyneside community groups dig in to help Dudley gardening projects thrive
First published by North Tyneside Council on 28 August 2025 Two community gardening projects have grown into a blooming success at the John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley. Dudley Youth Group’s gardening project and John Willie Sams men’s group have